American Optical Sunglesses?

[R.H.Clark]

Looking to get my first pair from somewhere other than Wal-Mart. American Optical Original Pilot seem fairly inexpensive for glass lenses and get good reviews.Are they good quality or should I just save a bit more for something else?

If you wear them what color lenses do you prefer brown or green glass, and which temple piece, bayonet,wire spatula,or comfort cable?

I live way out nowhere, so on line ordering is the only option.

 

[jmsodpc]

usually over age 60, people prefer brown lenses to increase contrast.

 

[Tsujigiri]

From what I hear, they're almost as good in quality as the Randolf Engineering ones the Air Force uses now. I have a pair of the RE's that I'm very happy with. The AO's were actually the first ones, though, and were worn on the moon missions. The bayonets are the original temple design; they're made like that so pilots can put them on and take them off without interfering with their headgear. I find they work well with full-sized headphones, but otherwise the standard hooked temples are probably more practical since they'll keep the glasses from sliding down your nose.

 

[gwhysow]

I have both AOs and REs, and to be perfectly honest, I think the AOs are of better quality. But here's the great thing about that statement: The Randolph's are already outstanding, so you can't really go wrong. I have smoke lenses on matter silver frames for both, and couldn't be happier. I had my first pair of AOs about 10 years ago, and worried about the bayonets shifting around, but have had no issues. I wear them for just about every activity, and have only tossed them once...while falling off my mountain bike at a painful pace. As long as you get a pair that are sized correctly, they won't slip down your nose. Either way, you can't go wrong.

One sentiment of advice: Avoid the Ray Ban Caravans. I've had 2 pairs...one from the warrantee, and then gave them away. Poor fittings, screws always loose, and a popped lense.